Minutes of Meeting
LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 56
CLINTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Clinton High School Auditorium
January 24, 2011
Present: Jim Barton, Donna Jacobs, Edna McGee, Patsy Sadler, Jan Simmons, Elizabeth
McKinney, Sharon Corley-Miller, Laura Koskela, and Dr. David O’Shields –
Interim Superintendent.
Media Notified in Advance: The Clinton Chronicle, the Laurens Advertiser, and
WLBG Radio, WPCC Radio, the Greenville News, GoLaurens.com, GoClinton.com and
Sunny 103.5 FM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:15 P.M.
Mr. Barton called for a motion to enter executive session at 6:20 p.m.
On a motion by Ms. Simmons, seconded by Min. Jacobs, the District 56 Board of
Trustees and district administrators convened in executive session at 6:20 p.m. to
discuss personnel matters, personnel considerations, contractual matters relating to
facilities and construction. The motion carried unanimously with all members
present. No action was taken in executive session.
Open Session – 7:30 p.m.
Call to Order/Invocation
Mr. Barton called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. McKinney gave the invocation.
Mr. Barton welcomed everyone to the monthly meeting.
Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Mr. Barton called for a motion to approve the agenda.
On a motion by Ms. Simmons, seconded by Min. Jacobs, the agenda was approved.
Mr. Barton called for a motion to approve the minutes of the November 22, 2010 board
meeting.
On a motion by Min. Jacobs, seconded by Dr. Sadler, the November 22, 2010
minutes were approved.
Mr. Barton called for a motion to approve the minutes of the December 09, 2010 board
workshop minutes.
On a motion by Dr. Sadler, seconded by Mrs. McGee, the December 09, 2010 board
workshop minutes were approved.
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SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. O’Shields:
a. Board Recognition – In recognition of “Board Appreciation” month Dr. O’Shields
presented the Board members with a card and a small token of appreciation.
Other schools also presented the board members with small tokens of appreciation
to include cards made by students, a cookbook, and a gift card.
b. Facilities – Dr. O’Shields allowed Dr. Pitts the opportunity to thank district
administration and staff for their efforts to reduce energy consumption in the
district. Mr. Blaine Duggan, Energy Education, presented District 56 with an
Energy Stewardship plaque and certificate. Mr. Duggan noted this is a team
effort. Dr. O’Shields and Mr. Barton thanked Mr. Childress (District Energy
Manager) for his continued effort of conserving energy in the district.
c. Upcoming events – Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 the new CHS Project will receive
the ACEC – (American Council of Engineering Companies) of South Carolina
award; Mr. Barton, Dr. O’Shields, and Mr. Templeton will attend the ceremony
on behalf of the district; Make-up days (snow days) – 02/18/11, 4/22/11, 5/30/11
and 06/03/11; Tuesday, February 01, 20ll – Facilities Planning Committee
Workshop – Dr. Pitts elaborated on some of the discussion topics; Thursday,
February 17, 2011 – Board Meeting/AdvancED Work Session to discuss the
upcoming AdvancED Team visit for District 56; Monday, February 28, 2011 –
next regular scheduled board meeting; Monday, March 21, 2011 – monthly board
meeting – please note change to 3rd Monday, due to AdvancED team visit March
27-30, 2011.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
a. Instruction – Mrs. Tiller
 Curriculum Mapping – continuing the focus on ELA; will focus on mapping
Science and Social Studies this summer, and include the 4 core areas at the high
school for implementation 2011-2012
 Technology Thursdays is continuing at CHS; teachers will be learning about
Wikis this semester; teachers are learning how to use them and how to implement
in their class work
 We have several student teachers in the district from PC, Newberry College,
Converse and Grand Cannon University. The main focus of their instruction
time will be in February
 Professional Development opportunities are being offered in the district; 45
teachers participated in the mini courses that were offered in the fall; spring
classes will begin February 2
 A bill was introduced recently that will require 24 credits to receive an advance
diploma, and 20 credits for a regular diploma; we will watch this closely to see
how it progresses in the legislature
 High School Report cards (State) still have not been released. We’re anticipating
their release in a couple of weeks; the board and public will be informed as soon
as the district receives this information
There were no questions for Mrs. Tiller; Mr. Barton thanked her for the report.
b. Student Services/AdvancED – Dr. Koskela
 USC admission’s team came to Laurens County – “Think College” good
program to encourage our students grades 8 to 11 to start thinking about college
(referenced a handout)
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
Reviewed AdvancED vision statement from referenced handout; our goal is
“District Accreditation”, not individual schools’ accreditation; the board will
receive a notebook at the February 17 work session with more detailed
information; we will have a 5 member team; hopefully the district will receive
accreditation on March 30; there will be a called board meeting to inform the
board and the public of the findings for District 56.
There were no questions for Dr. Koskela; Mr. Barton thanked her for the report.
c. Finance/Budget – Dr. Robinson
 Referenced several pages and account codes to give the new board members an
idea of what was included in the general fund revenue and expense reports.
 Warned the board not to be surprised if at the end of the year we have a $600,000
deficit
There were several questions and discussion from the board for Dr. Robinson regarding the
budget reports; Mr. Barton thanked him for his report.
ACTION ITEMS
a. Funding/Staff Flexibility Fiscal Year 10-11
Dr. Robinson explained the 2010-11 funding/staff flexibility information for FY 10-11.
After discussion and questions from the board, Mr. Barton called for a motion to accept
the funding/staff flexibility as presented by administration.
On a motion by Dr. Sadler, seconded by Ms. Simmons, the board unanimously
approved the funding/staff flexibility data as presented by administration.
b. Executive Session Considerations – Dr. O’Shields
There were no executive session items for discussion.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next scheduled board meeting will be February 28, 2011; a facilities planning committee
meeting is scheduled for February 01, 2011; a board meeting/AdvancED Work Session is
scheduled for February 17, 2011, 6 p.m. at CHS; Happy Birthday to Mrs. McGee as she
celebrates today.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss Mr. Barton called for a motion to adjourn. So moved by Ms.
Simmons, seconded by Min. Jacobs, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
James D. Barton
Edna McGee____________
James D. Barton – Board Chair
Edna McGee – Board Secretary
February 28, 2011________
Date
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